Chartered Surveyor Laura Boutle argues that the public estate is a powerful lever for resilience and growth, challenging the status quo by insisting on aligning property with purpose. Following on from Richard Gawthorpe’s article, she identifies two "golden threads" for unlocking potential: regular, structured stakeholder engagement to define community need and investing in a comprehensive asset register—the "engine room of effective estate strategy."

Richard Gawthorpe of the Norse Group argues that facing a new reality of financial pressure and reorganisation, local authorities must shift their mindset from viewing public estates as liabilities to seeing them as engines of fiscal resilience and growth. He advocates for bold leadership, strategic repurposing (like converting offices to housing), and using innovative financing tools like joint ventures to generate revenue while retaining strategic control.

Iain Mulvey, an experienced regeneration and business development professional, examines the implications of Local Government Pension Service (LGPS) reform for real estate, highlighting its potential to impact long-term property investment strategies.

Rob Burke, Lead Director for Building Surveying at Watts Group, discusses the complex challenges of real estate in the NHS. He highlights how consultants support health service managers in managing diverse properties, from major new builds to routine maintenance, while addressing unique clinical requirements, social impact goals, and financial constraints.

Andrew Ewbank of Avison Young celebrates a decade of Espresso Briefings, their free CPD series for public sector estates professionals. The article highlights the anniversary event, which revisited the impact of the Elizabeth Line, and lists a wide range of topics covered over 60+ sessions, emphasizing their value in continuous learning.

Richard Gawthorpe of Local Partnerships explores how public sector organizations can reimagine urban asset management to unlock value from their estates, focusing on collaborative working, data-driven strategies, and aligning property functions with service delivery.

Richard Allen, a long-serving honorary member and former President of ACES, reflects on his 35-year career at Nottingham City Council and the "legacy" he left, exploring themes of leadership, knowledge, and the evolving role of chief estate surveyors in the public sector.

Nonye Amatobi, Commercial Lead for the Crown Commercial Service (CCS) Estate Category team, introduces the new Estate Management Service 2 (EMS2) RM6343 framework. This framework aims to revolutionize public sector property management by fostering strategic supplier partnerships, driving innovation, and addressing key market challenges like expiring PFI projects and the push for net-zero.

Nyear Yaseen, a chartered surveyor and member of the Compulsory Purchase Association, provides an update on the proposed reforms to Compulsory Purchase Orders (CPOs) under the Levelling Up and Regeneration Act 2023, highlighting the significant changes expected for the compensation code.

Georgia Lewis of Local Partnerships provides crucial guidance for public authorities on preparing for Private Finance Initiative (PFI) contract expiry, emphasizing the urgent need for early planning to ensure effective asset handback and mitigate risks.

Antony Phillips, Head of Real Estate and Property Litigation at Fieldfisher, provides a 2024 legal update, reviewing key court decisions relevant to public sector surveyors. The update covers modifications of lease covenants, consent for alterations, forfeiture and waiver, and lease renewals and redevelopment under the Landlord and Tenant Act 1954.

Artificial Intelligence is not just a passing trend—it's a transformative opportunity for property managers in the public sector. This article explores how AI can streamline property management tasks, from automating data collection to improving strategic asset management and addressing climate change objectives.

The Non-Domestic Rating Act 2023 introduces a significant 'Duty to Notify' for ratepayers. This article explores the new compliance obligations, marking a "seismic shift" in the administrative framework of business rates and a first step towards self-assessment.

Jo Pickering and Raechel Slattery, specialists at Sharpe Pritchard, provide an overview of the new public procurement regime introduced by the Procurement Act 2023. The Act, which received Royal Assent in October 2023, is set to go live in February 2025. This article emphasizes the importance for all public authorities to become familiar with the new legislation, which repeals several existing regulations and consolidates them into a single piece of primary legislation. The a

The UK's climate is changing rapidly, which presents significant challenges for public sector buildings. This article explores the vulnerability of these assets and the urgent need to adapt them to withstand the impacts of a changing climate.

This article examines the government's proposals to strengthen local authorities' Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) powers, with the aim of delivering more affordable housing.

Dr. Rory Moan’s lecture challenges us to re-evaluate the purpose and design of the built environment. He argues for a shift away from a top-down, "master-planning" approach to one that is more organic, resilient, and responsive to the needs of local communities and sustainable development.